The next task is to help unite Labour for 2009

RENOWNED for her combative duels with Brian Cowen and her steely determination to maximise election votes, Joan Burton yesterday completed a 26-year-long journey which has been tinged with moments of defeat and revival.

“I was just recalling that exactly at this moment 26 years ago today, my daughter Aoife was born in Hallow Street,” she told supporters yesterday on being declared the new deputy leader of the Labour Party.

“I was in labour then and I’m in Labour now. Sorry about the birthday Aoife. It’s postponed for a day or two.”